Three new GEFCO subsidiaries in Central and Eastern Europe

Print Article

Ukraine (May 2008), Latvia (February 2008) and Slovenia (April 2007)

GEFCO is consolidating its position in the strategic region of Central and Eastern Europe with three new subsidiaries, in Slovenia, and more recently, in Latvia and Ukraine. The group is now present in most countries in Central and Eastern Europe, where it reported revenues of €261 million in 2007, up 58% on 2006.

Ukraine’s sustained economic growth (over 7% in 2007) and rapidly expanding logistics sector make it a strategic country for GEFCO in the Central and Eastern European region. Ukraine is also well positioned on the Black Sea coast between the European Union and Russia. GEFCO initially intends to develop business in the automotive sector, a promising market in the country with 500,000 vehicles sales a year and 30% growth in 2007. The new subsidiary is based in Kiev and managed by Jérôme Chevrolet.

GEFCO opened its Latvian subsidiary in February 2008. Latvia, the middle Baltic state, is strategically positioned and has a dense road network. The head office of the new subsidiary is in Riga, one of the biggest Baltic ports and a major hub for sea freight from Europe to Russia and the Community of Independent States (CIS). The Latvian subsidiary manages new vehicle transport, particularly from North Sea and Baltic ports to EU countries. It also ships Ladas from Riga to Melun in France and General Motors vehicles from Antwerp to Hamburg. GEFCO Baltic will soon be managing a new activity, transporting 40,000 vehicles a year from Poland to Hungary, Italy, France, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The new subsidiary is also expected to start up groupage activities in the near future. It is headed by William Le Clere and will soon be staffed by 20 people.

The Latvian subsidiary is the first step in GEFCO’s development in the Baltic states. The group is looking to open sites in Lithuania and Estonia from 2009.
Christian Zbylut, Head of International Development and a member of GEFCO’s Management Board, confirmed that “strengthening activities in Central and Eastern Europe remains a strategic priority in GEFCO’s international development”.
As part of this strategy, GEFCO opened a subsidiary in Slovenia in April 2007. Business is strong in the country with the growing activity at the port of Koper, a transport hub for the CEEC region (Central and Eastern European countries) that provides direct access to Eastern Europe and the Balkans in particular. Koper is at the heart of GEFCO activities in this part of the world. GEFCO distributes new vehicles from here to Central and Eastern Europe and, in 2009, will introduce a rail corridor between the port and the CEEC region. The group also transports vehicles produced at the Trnava plant in Slovakia and the Kolin plant in the Czech Republic from Koper to Turkey, Malta and Cyprus, and takes delivery of Turkish production destined for the CEEC region. Also, GEFCO will soon be starting up customs clearance activities in Slovenia. With its complete range of automotive logistics solutions, GEFCO has become a leading actor at this rapidly expanding port, which handled 500,000 vehicles in 2007. The new subsidiary, headed by Frédérik Nartus, is GEFCO’s first business location in Slovenia.

The GEFCO group now has a total of 11 subsidiaries in Central and Eastern Europe: Poland (opened in 1999), Turkey (2002), the Czech Republic and Russia (2003), Austria and Slovakia (2004), Romania and Hungary (2005), together with Slovenia (2007), and Ukraine and Latvia (2008).

December 2008 - Cemat, India - Bangalore - 10th - 13th

The organisers at Hannover-based Deutsche Messe are anticipating 180 exhibitors at this year’s CeMAT INDIA - the International Trade Fair for Intralogistics.

January 2009 - Chicago, 12th - 15th

ProMat Delivers Your World

In January 2009, tens of thousands of material handling and logistics buyers from more than 90 countries will meet at Chicago’s McCormick Place South. They will come to see, touch and operate the solutions of over 700 of the top material handling and logistics providers. The 300,000 square foot show floor will feature manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, assembly, logistics and IT solutions for the supply chain.

March 2009 - Logimatt - Stuttgart, 3rd - 5th

Decision-makers come together at the marketplace for intralogistics in the heart of Europe

March 2010 - Birmingham, 2nd - 5th

The organiser of the 2010 International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX) is celebrating the fact that an impressive 70% of stand space is sold almost 18 months before the show.

He who dares wins
Read how a dressing down from a rather dressed down Neil Kinnock helped launch a multi-million pound business and why the sound of cash registers is music to the ears Sam Sharma, founder of Rico Logistics.

Hub traffic flow made easy
One of the most important tasks in logistics is transportation. No matter whether it is the transportation from the manufacturer to the client or internal transportation: it all depends on a well developed and efficient traffic infrastructure.

Troax reduces the risk
In a highly safety-conscious industry manufacturers of material handling tools and aids have to be ready to take extreme measure to ensure that their products meet the criteria laid down by EU legislation. Marwel Conveyors recently confirmed their commitment to meeting these rigorous standards by extending their relationship with Swedish warehouse safety specialist Troax.

A flying start for Ikea
Industrial flooring specialists Concrete Grinding (CG) recently completed their first contract in Greece for a new build project in Athens.

An Atlantic crossing
German plastic pallet specialist Craemer is bolstering its success in both home grown and emerging European markets in 2008 with a continued assault on the American material handling industry.

We are the champions
One packaging company making its mark in during 2008 is DS Smith Plastics. At the recently staged 2007/2008 Divisional Achievements Awards the company rewarded victors from a very impressive entry list, with the winners all demonstrating a significant contribution to the continuing success of the business.